TRENTON, Maine — A small pickup truck struck the propane tank area of an Island Explorer bus late Wednesday afternoon on Route 3, causing police to halt traffic on the busy road, according to a Hancock County sheriff’s deputy.

The buses are powered by propane.

Traffic was not allowed on or off Mount Desert Island for several hours as firefighters tried to ensure the bus’ propane tank did not explode. Traffic was backed up for miles into the evening hours.

The accident occurred near where Route 230 enters Route 3.

Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.

A news reporter in coastal Maine for more than 20 years, Bill Trotter writes about how the Atlantic Ocean and the state's iconic coastline help to shape the lives of coastal Maine residents and visitors....